Last centering device



Oct. 16, 1934. E, w. DURKEE LAST CENTERING DEVICE Filed May 4, l93l 3Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 16, 1934. E. w DURKEE LAST CENTERING DEVICE .v FiledMay 4, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 4, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3,Ziiv622%r Patented Oct. 16, 1934 LAST CENTERING DEVICE Ernest W.Durkee, Lynn, Mass.

Application May 4, 1931, Serial No. 534,831

Claims.

My present invention relates to centering devices, and more particularlyto a novel and improved apparatus or device for use in centering andmarking lasts or analogous articles.

When lasts are to be repaired, rebuilt, re-

modeled, or the like, to such an extent that turning operations arerequired, it is necessary that the lasts be centered in the turninglathe in exact accordance with the centering of the model last to whichthe last being operated upon must conform. Heretofore it has beennecessary to rely mainly upon the skill of the operator in centeringthese lasts in the lathe, and this, of course, has been anunsatisfactory method, resulting in failure to secure the last contoursdesired.

' This has been particularly true when major changes are to be made inthe existing form of a last, as for example, when rebuilding lasts inaccordance with the method illustrated and described in my prior andcopending application, 'Ser. No. 516,326, filed Feb. 17, 1931. Asdescribed in said application, a substantial portion of the forepart ofa last is removed, and a rough block affixed to the remainder of theforepart, said forepart and block being then turned to conform to theshape, size, and contour of the model last representing the finishedsize, shape and contour of the last being remodeled or rebuilt.

An important object of the present invention, therefore, resides in theprovision of a centering device which may be adjusted to thepredetermined centers of the model last, said centers of course definingthe axis of rotation in the turning lathe, and which device may then beutilized to center-punch all succeeding lasts which are to be conformedto the model or master last to which the centering device has beenadjusted.

Another object of the invention residesin the provision of a centeringdevice wherein all essential parts are readily adjustable within a widerange, so that my novel centering device may be utilized to center-punchlasts of substantially any'size or shape.

Other objects and features or the invention redevice;

side in the novel details of construction of my.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of said device;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view on the 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view on the 55 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view on the 6-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional detail, on an 6 enlarged scale, on theline 7-7 of Fig. i;

Fig. 8 is a rear elevation or" a last centerpunched by my device;

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of a rough last toe-punched by my device;and 7 Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view illustrating a modified form oftoe-punch.

Referring now to the drawings, for a particu lar description of theinvention, its construction and operation, 1 designates a bed or base towhich is affixed a block 2 by bolts 3 said block having a Wall 4projecting vertically therefrom and provided with a track 5 along whichextends a slot 6. Vertically slidable on the track 5, and dovetailedthereover, is a headstock 7, 86 the vertical movement of the headstock 7being controlled by a feed screw 8 fixed at its lower end to the block 2and having a knurled handle or knob 9 at its upper end, the screw 8being threaded through the headstock 7. Thus rotation of the knob 9 willeffect a raising or lowering of the headstock 7 and of the punches 10carried thereby.

When the headstock 7 has reached the desired position, it may be clampedin said pcsi- 9 tion by means of the screw 11 and knurled knob 12. Thepunches 10 are formed on a cap 13 'pivotally mounted at 14 to thereduced end 15 of a rod 16, the cap 13 being provided with a recess 17ofsufiiciently greater size than the 9 diameter of the reduced end 15 topermit rocking of the cap 13 thereon, the adjusting screws 18 limitingthe rocking movement of the cap 13.

The rod 16 is longitudinally slidable in a plug 19 which has side walls20 projecting beyond the headstock 7, the inner edges of said projectingends being beveled as at 21 to form a throat, the punches 10 beinglocated substantially centrally of said throat. The plug 19 is heldagainst movement in the headstock 7 by means of a set screw 22.

Pinned to the reduced end of the rod 16 is a head 24, and a spring 25surrounds the rod 16 and is confined between the inner end of the head24 and the plug 19, said spring normally line line

line

forcing said head away from the plug 19 and retaining the punches 10housed between the side walls 20, movement in that direction beinglimited by engagement of the cap 13 with the plug 19.

A post 26 has a reduced threaded end 27 depending through the bed 1 anda nut 28 secures said post to said bed a desired distance in front ofthe headstock 7, the post 26 constituting a support for the heel of alast.

Provided in the bed 1 is a dovetailed groove 29, and held in said grooveand to the bed 1 by screws 30 is a pillow-block 31 constituting asupport for the reduced end 32 of a feed screw 33, a collar 34 beingfixed to the reduced end 32 to prevent longitudinal movement of the feedscrew 33. The other end of the feed screw 33 is reduced as at 35 and issupported in a bearing 36 fixed to the bed 1 by screws 37, a collar 38and knurled head 39, together with the washer 40 preventing longitudinaldisplacement of the feed screw 33 at this end.

Dovetailed in the groove 29 and slidable therein and on the uppersurface of the bed 1 is a block 41 having a vertically extending wall 42and track 43 on which is slidable a tailstock 44, the wall 42 beingprovided with an elongated slot 45 and a clamping screw 46 extendingthrough said slot and into the tailstock 44, the knurled handle 47permitting clamping of the tailstock 44 on the wall 42 in any desired adjusted position.

Fixed in the tailstock 44 by a wing nut .48 is a sleeve 49, a coverplate 50 being fixed to the tailstock by screws 51. Slidable in thesleeve 49 is a rod 52 having atoe-punch 53 at one end thereof, and ahead 54 at the other end thereof, said head being secured to said rod bya screw 55.

A coiled spring 56 surrounds the rod 52 and is confined between the head54 and sleeve 49, normally tending to force the head 54 away from saidsleeve, a collar 57 adjacent to the toe-punch 53 limiting said movement.

The tailstock 44 is vertically adjustable on the.

61 permits rotation of the screw 58 to feed the tailstock 44 verticallyon the wall 42 and track 43 to adjust said tailstock and the toe-punch53 to any desired height.

Dovetailed in the groove 29 between the headstock and tailstock, andalso resting on the bed 1, is a block 62, said block having a lateralpro jection 63 through which is threaded a feed, screw 64, said feedscrew being supported at its ends in bosses 65 projecting laterally fromthe bed 1. Rotation of the feed screw 64is efiected by means or" aknurled handle 66, and said feed screw is held against longitudinaldisplacement by said handle and by a collar 67 pinned to the oppositeend oi": said screw. The block 62 has a vertical internally threadedboss 68 in which is threaded a screw 59, a nut being located on saidscrew adjacent to said boss. The upper end of the screw 69 threaded intothe bottom of a transverse bed 71, and by manipulation of the nut 70 theheight of the transverse bed 71relative to the longitudinal bed 1 maybevaried.

Also threaded through the transverse bed 71 is a pair of posts 72, nuts73 being fixed to the lower end of saidposts, which posts constitutesupports for the bottom of the forepart of a last,

said posts being independently vertically adjustable.

Dovetailed into a groove 74 in the transverse bed 71 is a pair ofbrackets 75 and 76, these brackets being united by a feed screw 77operable by a knurled handle 78 to effect simultaneous movement of thebrackets 75 and 76 toward or from each other.

Threaded through the bracket 75 is a screw 79 having a rounded end 80 onone end thereof, and a flat disc-like head 81 on the opposite end. Thescrew 79 may be adjusted inwardly and cutwardly with respect to thebracket 75, and when adjusted to desired position is held in saidadjusted position by means of a wing nut 82. Threaded through the otherbracket 76 is a screw '83 having a rounded end 84 and a disc-like head85, this screw 83 being likewise adjustable in the bracket 76 and beingheld in adjustable position by the wing nut 86. Longitudinal movement ofthefeed screw 77 is prevented by means of a collar 87 located on theinner side of a plate 88 which is fixed to the transverse bed 71 bymeans of screws 89, the handle 78 being pinned to the feed screw 77 onthe opposite side of said plate 88.

The operation of my present novel centering device is simple and will bereadily understood by those skilled in this art, being briefly describedas follows:

Assuming that it is desired to remodel several lasts, such as the last90 illustrated in Fig. 9, which has had a major portion of its forepartremoved, and the rough block 91 aflixed thereto.

The operator takes the model last, illustrated in same with its heelresting on the post 26, then 1 adjusts the two posts 72 verticallyrelatively to the post 26 so that the last is lying in such a positionthat the toe and heel punches, when properly adjusted, will register andaline with the marks on said model. is rotated to loosen the screw 11and the handle 9is rotated to feed the headstock 7 vertically, either upor down, until the throat formed by the side walls 20 is in properrelation with respect to the heel part of the last with the heel punch10 registered and alined with the center mark on the heel of said model.When this adjusted position has been reached, the screw 11 is tightenedby means of the handle 12. The position of the independently adjustablesupports 72 may be varied with respect to the length of the last byrotating the feed screw 64 by means of the handle 66funti1 the posts 72are in the desired Thereupon the handle 12 position beneath the forepartof the last, this.

position being determined by the shape of the forepart and by the sizeand location of the block 91 on the lasts to be remodeled.

Then either the screw 79 or the screw 83 is operated within its bracketuntil said screw 79 or the head 85, or both, is in engagement with theside of the last to line the toe of the last in proper registry with thetoe-punch 53. Thereupon the block 41 may be moved either toward or fromthe last by manipulation of the feed screw 33, and the tailstock 44 maybe raised or lowered in the same manner as described for the headstockuntil the toe-punch 53 is in proper alinement and registry with thecenter marking in' the toe of the model last. Thereupon the operator,holding the last, strikes the .12 by bolts 97.

head 24 and impresses the heel-punches 10 into the heel of the last, andthen strikes the head 54, impressing the toe-punch 53 into the toe ofthe last. The model last is now properly punched for positioning in thelathe as the master or model last.

The parts of my novel centering device are now adjusted to properlycenter-punch all of the lasts which are to be conformed to the size,shape and contour of the model last. Removing the model last, theoperator places the rough last, such as 90, on the bottom supports 26and 72, and with the heel of the last in the throat formed by the sidewalls 20, and with the side or sides of the last in engagement with thescrew 79, head of the screw 83, or both,

whichever it has been found desirable to adjust for the particular lastto be operated upon. With the rough last in position, the operator thenrepeats the striking of the heads 24 and 54, indenting the punch marks93 on the heel part of the last 90, and impressing the toepunch recess94 at the toe part of the last. The rough last 90, which is to beconformed to the master or model 92, is now correctly centerpunched andready for insertion in the lathe. Thereupon, upon operation of saidlathe, the cutter head will conform the last to the size, shape andcontour of the model last 92.

Gnce my novel device has been adjusted for a given model 92, it is amatter of but an in stant of time to properly and accurately centerpunchthe rough lasts which are to be conformed to said model. Thus, therebuilding of .lasts is expedited with a consequent saving in .which areto have new heel portions which would interfere with the positioning orcentering of the heel portion in the throat of the headstock, I providearms 95 each provided with an elongated slot 96 and held to the blockThus these arms may be swung downwardly to operative position and may bemoved lengthwise with respect to the block 2 by reason of the slots 96.Adjusting screws 98 operable by wing nuts 99 and locked in adjusted:position by lock nuts 100 are provided at the outer ends of the arms95. If a lasthaving a rough heel portion to be conformed to the masterlast is placed in the device, the arms 95 are swung to operativeposition, and the screws 98 threaded inwardly or outwardly, by means ofthe wing nuts 99, until the inner ends of said screws are in clampingposition with the last properly centered in front of the heel punches10. The other adjustments of the device are the same as heretofore, andthe heads 24 and to engage, either one or both of them, the side' orsides or" thelast, and the flat contacting faces of the discs willaccommodate a wide range of last sizes without adjustment.

If, however, the forepart of the last is distor-ted, as by the roughblock 91, it is desirable to have the screw 79 in the positionillustrated in Fig. 1, that is, with the rounded end 80 against the sideof the last, with substantially a point contact. For these purposes thescrews 79 and 83 may bereadily reversed in their brackets 75 and 76.

If changes are to be made only on the heel part. of the last, I maysubstitute, for the toepunch 53, the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 10,wherein a pair of plates 101 have flaring ends 102 to constitute athroat to receive the toe of the last 103. Slidable between the plates101 is a rod 104 having a toe-punch 105 thereon, movement 'of the rod104 being limited by means of the pin 106 riding in the slots 1%? of theplates 101. A coiled spring 108 bearing against the head 109 normallykeeps the toepunch 1G5 retracted within the throat formed by the flaredends 102. A wing screw 110 holds the plates 101 in position in thetailstock 44. Thus the throat 102 constitutes an automatic centeringdevice for the toe of the last 103, it being then necessary to adjustthe heel portion of the last to proper position to aline the heel punchwith the heel centering mark, and to adjust the headstock to propervertical position to aline the toe punch 105 with the toe centeringmark, lateral adjustment being automatically provided for by the throat162.

The advantages of my novel device, the efficiency thereof, and thebenefits and economies obtainable thereby will be instantly apparent tothose skilled in this art.

While I have necessarily described my present invention somewhat indetail, it is to be understood the claims are to be construed as broadlyas the state of the art permits and it will be appreciated that I mayvary the size, shape, and arrangement of parts, within reasonably widelimits without departing from the spirit of the invention.

My device is further described and defined in the form of claims asfollows:

1. In a device of the kind described, a plurality of last supports,heel-punching means, a support therefor, means to effect verticaladjustment of said heel-punching means, toe-punching means, a supporttherefor, means to effect vertical adjustment of said toe-punchingmeans, said heel and toe punching means being adapted to gauge and markon a last the axis of rotation thereof, and means to effect longitudinalmovement of said toe-punching means and its support relative to saidlast.

2. In a device of the kind described, a plurality of last supports, aplurality of abutments to engage the sides of. a last, means to effectadjustment of said abutments laterally with respect to said last, heelpunching means, means to effect vertical movement of said heel punchingmeans, toe punching means, a support therefor, means to effect verticaladjustment of said toe punching means on its support, and means toeffect adjustment of said toe punching means and its supportlongitudinally with respect to said last, sad heel and toe punchingmeans being adapted to gauge and mark on a last the axis of rotationthereof.

3. In a device of the kind described, a plurality of last supports, aplurality of abutments to engage the sides of a last, means to effectlongitudinal movement'of said abutments relative to said last, means toeffect movement of said abutments laterally with respect to said last,heel punching means, means to eifect vertical adjustment of said heelpunching means, toe punching means, a support thereof, means to effectlongitudinal movement of said toe punching means and its supportrelative to said last,

and means to effect vertical movement of said toe punching means on itssupport, said heel and toe punching means being adapted to gauge andmark on a last the axis of rotation thereof.

4. In a device of the kind described, a plurality of last supports, aplurality of abutments to engage the sides of a last, means to effectlongitudinal adjustment of said abutments relative to said last, heelpunching means, means to effect vertical movement of said gheel punchingmeans, toe punching means, a support there of, means to effect verticalmovement of said toe punching means on its support, means to effectlongitudinal movement of said toe puncha plurality of supports for theforepart of the last, means to effect vertical adjustment ofsaidforepart supports, a standard on said bed, a heel punch carried thereby,means to effect vertical movement of said heel punch on its support, asecond standard on said bed, a toe punch carried thereby, means toeffect movement of said toe punch and its standardlongitudinally of saidbed, said bed having a groove therein on its upper surface, a blockmounted in said groove, means to effect longitudinal movement of saidblock, a pair of abutments carried. by said block and adapted to engagethe sides of a last, and

means to effect lateral movementof said abut ments.

6. A last centering device, comprising a bed, a post projectingvertically from said bed and con.- stituting asupport for the heel ofthelast, a plurality of supports for the forepart of the last,

means to effect vertical adjustment o fsaid fore part supports, astandard on said bed, a heel' punch carried thereby, means to effectvertical movement of said heel punch on its'support, a

second standard on said bed, a toe punch carried thereby, means toeffect movement of sad toe punch and its standard longitudinally of saidbed,

said bed having a groove therein on its upper surface, a block mountedin said groove, means to, effect longitudinal movement of said block, apairof abutments carried by said block and adapted to engage the sidesof a last, and means to effect independent lateral movement of saidabutments. i

7. A last centering device, comprising 'a bed, a post projectingvertically from said bed and constituting a support for the heel of thelast, a

plurality of supports for the forepart of the last,

means to effect vertical adjustment of said fore-.

part supports, a standard on said bed, a heel punch carried thereby,means to effect vertical movement of said heel punch on its. support, .asecond standard on said bed, a toe punch carried thereby, means toeffect movement of said toe punch and its standard longitudinally ofsaid bed, said bed having a groove thereinon. its

upper surface, a blockrmounted in said groove, means to effectlongitudinal movement of said block, a pair of abutments carried by saidblock and adapted to engage the sides of a last, and means to effectindependent lateral movement of said abutments, said forepart supportsbeing carried by said block and movable longitudinally therewith. Y

8. Alast centering device, comprising a bed, apostrprojecting verticallyfrom said bed and constituting a support for the heel of the last,aplurality of supports for the forepart of the last, means to effectvertical adjustment of said forepart supports, a standard on said bed, aheel punch carried thereby, means to effect vertical movement of said.heel punch on its support, a second standard on said bed, a toe punchcarried thereby, means to effect movement of said toe punch and itsstandard longitudinally of said bed, said bed having agroove therein onits upper surface, a block mounted in said groove, means to effectlongitudinal movement of said block, a-pair of abutments carried by saidblock and adapted to engage the sides of a last, means to effect lateralmovement of said abutments, and resilient means to normally maintainsaid heel punch and said toe punch in retracted position in theirsupports.

9. A last centering device, comprising a bed, a postprojectingvertically from said bed and constituting a support for theheel of the last, a plurality of supports for the forepart of the last,means to effect vertical adjustment of said forepart supports, astandard on said bed, a heel punch carried thereby, means to effectvertical movement of said heel punch on its support, a second standardon said bed, a toe punch carried thereby, means to automatically centerthe toe part of a last laterally with respect to said toe punch, meansto effect movement of said toe punch and its standard longitudinally ofsaid bed, said bed having a groove therein on its upper surface, a blockmounted in said groove, means to effect longitudinal movement of saidblock, a pair of abutments carried by said block and adapted to engagethe sides of a last, and means to effect lateral movement of saidabutments.

.10. A- last centering device, comprising a bed, a post projectingvertically from said bed and constituting-a support for the heel of thelast, a plurality of supports for the forepart of the last, means toelfect vertical adjustment of said forepart supports, a standard on saidbed, a heel punch carried thereby, means to effect vertical movement ofsaid heel punch on its support, a second standard on said bed, a toepunch carried thereby, means converging to- Ward said toe punch toautomatically center the toe part of a last laterally with respect tosaid toe punch, means to] effect movement of said toe punch and itsstandard longitudinally of said bed, said bed having a groove therein onits upper surface, a block mounted in said groove, means to effectlongitudinal movement of said block, a pair of abutments carried by saidblock and adapted to engage the sides of a last, and means to effectmovement of said abutments laterally with respect to said last.

. 1 ERNEST W. DURKEE.

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